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A review by reverienne
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
5.0
A well-deserved children lit's classic! I had a blast reading it.
My only complaint is that I enjoyed it so much that I feel too guilty not to give it full five stars. If I was more objective, I would deduct half a star for two aspects of the ending that disappointed me:
My only complaint is that I enjoyed it so much that I feel too guilty not to give it full five stars. If I was more objective, I would deduct half a star for two aspects of the ending that disappointed me:
- Every single friend of Dorothy's becoming a ruler feels lazy and far-fetched. Also, a bit disturbing once you sit to think about it a bit more. It feels like the author was desperate to give his remaining Oz character A Purpose, to make them so occupied that they don't have the time to miss Dorothy too much once she inevitably leaves Oz - and he couldn't come up with anything else than becoming a ruler to fit these criteria. And, goodness, nowhere does it seem more lazy and unsatisfying than in Tin Woodman's case. Tin Woodman becoming a ruler is the author's way of distracting Tin Woodman from his inevitable heartbreak when, after he reunites with his sweetheart, he discovers that she's not interested in marrying a man made entirely of tin. (Maybe they remain, respectfully, friends. Maybe she's too freaked out by Tin Woodman to continue any relationship with him. I don't think that she'll turn out to be a obsessed with tin General Grievous girlie but who knows? It sure would be sweet if she wanted him still despite him no longer possessing any flesh.)
- Dorothy's arrival in Kansas feels cut too short. I would expand the final scene just a bit to give it more punch.